Hares are an important and much-valued component of our natural heritage and biodiversity. In some parts of their range they are scarce, but in others they can be extremely abundant and need control. The law allows them to be killed both as game and to prevent serious damage to farm crops.
Is hunting hares illegal in UK?
Is hare hunting legal? No. Hare hunting with dogs was banned in England and Wales by the Hunting Act 2004. Hare hunting is therefore illegal.
When can you shoot hare in UK?
Scotland introduced a close season in 2012 under the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act 2011 which makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or take brown hares from February to September, and mountain hares from March to July. However, in England and Wales hares enjoy no such legal protection.
Is it legal to eat hares in the UK?
Buying hare
To protect hares during the breeding season, British hare cannot be sold (or put on a menu) between 1 March and 31 July. From August until February, however, fresh locally-shot hare is readily available. Choose from small hares (leverets) or larger ones – skinned and whole, jointed or still in fur.
Can you lamp hares in the UK?
As there are no legal restrictions on the killing of rabbits, hares, foxes and deer, lampers are free to pursue their cruelty so long as they have landowner permission. But lampers will also target badgers, a protected species, and this is highly illegal.
Can I shoot rabbits in my garden UK?
If you are the occupier of land you can shoot rabbits on your land during the day and can authorise in writing one other person to do so. That person must be part of your household, one of your staff, or be employed for reward to specifically control the rabbits.
Can you shoot a hare with an air rifle?
Hares can become pests but they are too large to be shot humanely with airgun pellets, and that applies to foxes, too. There are plenty of sporting species that qualify as air rifle quarry and all of them will patience, without any need to look any further.
What animals Can I shoot in my garden UK?
Grey squirrels, rats, rabbits are fine to shoot, as are stoats and mink. Do airguns need a licence?
Can you hunt hares with dogs UK?
Under the Hunting Act 2004, it is an offence to hunt wild mammals with dogs. If a person has with him or her a dog and is hunting a wild mammal he is guilty of an offence.
Are hares pests in UK?
Hares are a traditional game animal, but because they can cause damage to cereal crops, shrubs and young trees they are also sometimes treated as pests.
What to do if you find a dead hare?
If you find a dead animal on the road, pavement, or in another open public space, you should tell your local council. This includes domestic pets and wild animals like badgers and foxes. A dead animal found on private property should be reported to the owner of the land.
Why are hares rare in UK?
The Brown hare was once a common site in Britain’s agricultural land but appears to be in decline, largely as a result of habitat loss and, perhaps, continued persecution from hare coursers. Today, despite remaining widespread, their stronghold is southern England and, particularly East Anglia and Kent.
Are hares protected by law?
Status & conservation
However, the brown hare has minimal legal protection because it is considered a game species and can be shot throughout the year, including through their breeding season.
What can you shoot in the UK?
You can shoot certain species of game birds, quarry birds and waterfowl but only during the shooting season. Sometimes you can only shoot in certain locations, for example you can’t shoot some waterfowl above the high water line. You can’t shoot birds in the closed season.
Can you shoot hares on a Sunday?
There are no statutory restrictions on the killing of game on Sunday or Christmas Day but it is not customary to do so. The wildfowl species listed may not be shot on Sunday or Christmas Day. It is an offence to kill any wild bird, gamebird or hare on a Sunday.
What animals are you not allowed to hunt in the UK?
The Hunting Act 2004 is the law which bans chasing wild mammals with dogs in England and Wales – this basically means that fox hunting, deer hunting, hare hunting, hare coursing and mink hunting are all illegal, as they all are cruel sports based on dogs chasing wild mammals.
How do I get rid of wild rabbits UK?
Install rabbit fencing: The most reliable and effective form of rabbit deterrent is by hiring pest controllers to install rabbit fencing. This is specially designed to block rabbits from your land and is difficult for them to circumvent, particularly when installed by a professional.
Do you need a license to hunt rabbits UK?
But often you need landowners permission to hunt them. Most people shoot rabbit with only an air rifle and the more powerful licence free ones will kill them (and leaves less buck to pick out). Something to bear in mind is the wildlife licence which can be required if you’re considered to be controlling a pest.
Is hunting rabbits with dogs illegal UK?
What does the law say? Under the HA 2004, a person will commit an offence if s/he hunts a wild mammal. Rats and rabbits are excluded from the remit of the legislation, and a hare may be hunted by any number of dogs if it has been shot. All offences defined by HA 2004 are punishable by a fine of up to £5,000.
Can you shoot rabbits in UK with air rifle?
1) it is legal to hunt rabbits without any kind of weapons licence, as long as you’re using a . 177 or . 22 air rifle, with an impact power of less than 12lb per cubic foot. Check out the Gov.UK site for legalities on the animals and weapons that can be used here in the UK.
Is hunting hares with dogs illegal?
Hare coursing is an illegal activity – where dogs are used to chase, catch and kill hares – and is a serious problem in some rural areas.